A forum for enumerating the roses that come my way and for sharing them with others.

Monday, January 5, 2015

11th Day of Christmas Rambles

::Weekly Rambles::

What’s really on my mind and heart?

We had a pretty nice Christmas despite several of us being in various stages of illness. Namely me, so meals were simpler than usual, and the house was messier than I would have liked, but probably no one noticed except me.

I love celebrating Christmas and I sometimes wish it weren't a gift-giving event so that we could focus on the Real Meaning. All my Christmas decorations are still up, and I'll probably start slowly working on putting them away this week while Meg and Pip are at school, but I'm in no rush. I am looking forward to being back in somewhat of a routine.

What am I thankful for?

I am very, very thankful for the success of the procedure I had done last Monday, and even more thankful for the news on New Year's Eve that all the tissues biopsied were benign. I'm really thankful for general anesthesia, too! This was my first experience being put to sleep and it was like magic. What a beautiful thing to be completely unaware of what they're doing to you! Of course, they could do anything, and that's a little creepy, but I just keep pushing that thought away. ;-) I'm also thankful for my doctor's skill since I have had no issues and no real pain which seems to be unusual.

What’s going on in school?

School starts tomorrow for Meg and Pip. They're looking forward to seeing their friends. Schoolwork? Notsomuch. Pete and Tom started classes at their respective universities today. It's Pete's last semester! Another graduation to start planning for in May!

What’s on the needles?

The very beginnings of a Settler Shawl. The gorgeous, purple Tosh Merino Light was a Christmas present for me, so the shawl is also for me. I'm loving it already because the pattern, the color, the yarn. All of it. Yum!

Also, a simple cowl that is intended for the shop. The yarn is Elspeth Lasvold's Silky Wool, a random skein from the stash. I love the denim colorway and the rustic feel!

What’s special about this week?

So much specialness! The Church celebrated the Feast of the Epiphany on Sunday. Tom's birthday is tomorrow on the actual Twelfth Day of Christmas, and then Pip's 16th birthday is Saturday! There are too many birthdays and celebrations in January to even think about starting a diet on Jan. 1!

What am I reading?

I am reading The Martian as recommended by Mac Baron of Catholic in a Smalltown podcast. I got it for Christmas and am finding it fascinating. Astronaut Mark Watney is a member of the Ares 3 Mars expedition and when a huge sandstorm came up, he was injured and left for dead while the rest of the crew had to leave the surface. He wasn't dead, and now he has to figure out how to stay alive, all alone, for 4 years (and only 1 year of food supplies) when the next manned mission is scheduled for.

What am I praying about?

Other people are coming up with words to live by during 2015, and I'm praying to know God's will. It might come in the form of one word, but I don't know yet. I spent a lot of prayer time asking for grace while expecting to deal with a cancer diagnosis this year, so I'm happy to be able to move on to something different that the Lord wants me to focus on!

I'm also praying for all my children, others with cancer, my sister-in-law, and myriad other loved ones and friends.

What projects are happening at home?

Not quite into project mode, yet. Between Christmas, the flu, and recovery from my little surgery, we're just in day-to-day mode. The first big project will be Christmas clean-up, and then I'll let you know. ;-)

Weight loss should be a big project. I guess it is, and it sort of started today with a 3-mile walk. It will take a while to get the food back under control because we are totally addicted to sugar around here, and, again, it's Birthday Month. So....yeah.

I am looking forward to getting back into the habit of blogging more than 2x per month! I'll never make a living from my blogging, but I enjoy chatting with folks, so stop in the combox and say Hi!

5 comments:

I love the looks of that shawl, and the yarn is gorgeous! Nice gift. I'm typing on mine. Doug bought me a Chromebook which makes me feel amazed that I have never had a laptop before.

Happy Birthday to all your people! And I hope you rest a little more before you tackle the decorations. Doug is headed out of town for a week, so I think mine will all stay up. Or maybe I'll get energetic and put it away. I have a goal to throw away anything that didn't get put out this year and there are quite a few boxes down there! I bought some big plastic bins and what is out now goes in them. All the boxes and bits and pieces left over goes! My goal for the year -- detach!

Almost, but it lasts a lot longer! (hopefully) I can't believe that's the first time you've ever had general anesthesia! You are among the lucky who do not get sick from it. Just the other night both my aunt and uncle were saying how sick they got -- for days -- after their colonoscopies. Yuck!

You've had so much going on over the holidays, but it sounds like you guys had some wonderful celebrations. I like the way you throw yourself into Christmas. Sometimes I just hold my breath, do the minimum, and wait till it's over.

So... I've listened to podcasts and seek them out when there's something specific to listen to, but I've never really embraced the medium yet. I hear folks mention that they "have some podcasts queued up and ready," but I haven't really gotten to that point yet. What are some of your favorite podcasts these days? I've listen to most of the Read Aloud Revival stuff, but that's it really.

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About Me

I am the wife of a wonderful man who brought me into the Catholic Church through prayer and gentle perseverance, and who puts up with a lot of crazy mood swings. We have 6 beautiful children, though it seems odd to say "children" when half of them are grown, and two of them are living on their own! I'm in my 19th year of homeschooling, but I have only 2 students left at home, and they have begun attending a hybrid-homeschool 2-3 days per week. I am a slightly obsessed knitter who has several projects on needles at any given time, and many more on the "wish list". I enjoy creating beauty, whether through knitting, cooking, painting, or sewing. I'm enjoying my 2 days "off" each week, while I struggle with the reality of a nest that's getting emptier and emptier. Together with my family, we're trying to figure out how live In The World but not be Of The World.

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St. Francis de Sales

"Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them — every day begin the task anew."

Memorare

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided.

Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.